Stent retrieval device

Abstract

A device and method for retrieving partially deployed balloon expandable stents. The device addresses, inter alia, the problem of retrieving stents that have become dislodged from the desired position about a deploying balloon, leaving a stent that is likely too large to be retracted back into a guide catheter. The device can be used with a guide catheter having a balloon angioplasty catheter inserted within. The invention includes a grasping device at the distal end of a shaft and a mechanism for opening and closing the grasping device. In one embodiment, the grasping device includes a reinforced tube having a bound outer inflatable sleeve and a longitudinal slit. In use, the tube can be slipped over the proximal portion of a balloon catheter shaft extending from a patient, advanced over the shaft, through and distally out of a guide catheter, there inflated to grasp the stent distal end, and retracted proximally into the guide catheter. In another embodiment, the grasping device includes fingers attached distally to an inner shaft and proximally to an outer shaft. The fingers open when sliding the inner shaft distally relative to the outer shaft. The fingers close when sliding the inner shaft proximally relative to the outer shaft. This embodiment can be used with a guide catheter to grasp a stent and withdraw it through the guide catheter.